Personal, Individual
Recruitment
Leaders cannot expect followers to come because of our
reputation or cause, not yet. We must personally, individually recruit. This is
done primarily face to face or occasionally over the phone. Challenge people,
let them know they are needed and wanted and expected.
Key Verses
Mk1:17 Jesus
called Simon and Andrew; “put down your nets and I will make you fishers of
men.”
Mk3:12 Jesus
called 12 apostles to be with him and to be sent out. They were…..
Key Questions
1.
How do I get people to show up at meetings,
events, groups or outreaches?
2.
What is the role of the announcements and church
bulletin in recruitment?
3.
How can I bring more people into the church?
Our Understanding of recruitment
The primary role of every Christian is to bring others to
Jesus. “Go and make disciples” is still the command. Bringing others to church,
outreaches and Christ can be difficult. What is the best way to do it? The
answer is one on one personal recruitment. There is no replacing it.
Jesus recruited His followers by
name. He knew them. With some of them He had a growing relationship. Others had
listened to Him and known of His reputation. Jesus called each of the 12
disciples by name and to their face. To the fishermen; “leave your nets and I will
make you fishers of men.” He identifies with them and challenges them to
something greater. To Nathaniel sitting under the fig tree He said what would
exactly correspond with what Nathaniel needed to hear. To Matthew it was a
direct challenge. In each case we see Jesus not asking the masses to step
forward rather several individuals called out.
When you want people to get
involved make a list of people that you think would be most helpful or need to
be there. People you have a relationship with or a reputation with. Jot down
exactly their involvement; bring chips or hotdog buns, help with rides for
three kids that live in downtown, speak for 15 minutes, pray for people, pack
boxes, clean the floor, ect. Then articulate the importance of what you are
doing; “We are going to bring the Kingdom of God to the troops by encouraging
them with care packages. I need you to help. I know you have a lot of extra wet
wipes because you use so many coupons and have so many kids. Can you bring
those? Then could you help us pack the boxes.” Give people an exact time frame;
“we want every one there by 6pm and we should be done by 7.” Lastly, ask them to commit. “Can I count on
you to be there?” If yes, great, you can expect them there. If maybe, make a
note to follow up with them again in a few days. If no, that’s ok, it better
they tell you now. Before the event starts you should know several people are
coming for sure.
It is best to invite people in person,
eye to eye. Make each invitation personal. Explain why they, uniquely would benefit
from being involved. People generally do what they want to do. Use some
salesmenship. Fishermen use bait. God made each person for the edification of
the church. They will never be fully fulfilled until they are being used for
what God made them for and that involves the church.
Do not relay on church
announcements to bring people to your event. The purpose of the announcements
and the bulletin is not primarily recruitment rather impression. It is good
that people hear what is going on in the church and coming up. New people say; “wow,
this is an active church. It sounds easy to get involved or get to know people.”
Announcements are a great time to thank people and acknowledge them. It is a
time to be excited about what God is doing. But if recruitment happens through
public announcements you are unlikely to get the right or best people in the
best places because you will primarily get available people. The only way to
really ensure getting the best people to the right places is directly asking
them.
In Conclusion
It should be the goal of every
Christian to bring more people to church. Pray for them. And ask them. Maybe most
importantly is you being consistent to church. New people rarely stay in a
church that they are not connected to. If you are the primary connection for
them and you are not there, I will bet they will not be there too often. You must
be the example. They should be able to come and see you at church even if they
don’t tell you they are coming. We are accountable to the people we have
invited in the past to be there for when they do come. Be persistent. People
rarely come on the first invitation. A good farmer is patient. A good soldier
endures. There is nothing more important than their salvation so don’t grow
weary of doing well you will reap your harvest.
Driving it Home
See if you can answer the
questions we started with. If not what information is still needed.
1.
How do I get
people to show up at meetings, events, groups or outreaches?
2.
What is the role of the announcements and church
bulletin in recruitment?
3.
How can I bring more people into the church?
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